Jack Draper made an encouraging start to his latest injury comeback by beating lucky loser Marcos Giron in straight sets in the first round of the Lexus Eastbourne Open.
With new coach Andy Murray watching from a courtside box on a sweltering day at Devonshire Park, former world number four Draper progressed 6-4 7-6 (5) in an hour and 25 minutes.
He showed no obvious fitness concerns during a solid display to set up all-British encounter against Jack Pinnington Jones in the last 16 of the Wimbledon warm-up event.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult year for me with certain physical bits but to be here is really special,” Draper said in his on-court interview.
“If you haven’t competed in a while you never know what to expect.
“I thought the first set was a bit up and down and then I started to play some good tennis and then lost concentration, which can happen if you haven’t played for a while.
“But really happy with the way I came through in the end and I give myself another opportunity in the second round to play better and keep on hopefully building momentum in my tennis and in my body.”
Draper has enlisted the support of three-time grand slam champion Murray for the grass court swing after being plagued by chronic arm and knee injuries during the past year, in addition to a recent shoulder problem.
The 24-year-old, who has plummeted to 160 in the rankings, declared himself to be in a “very good place” ahead of his first competitive outing since retiring injured in the last 32 of the Barcelona Open on April 13.
Appearing to be in peak physical condition, he backed up his claim, serving well and wrapping up the opening set in 35 minutes after capitalising on only the second break point of the contest following a poor double fault from his opponent.
World number 86 Giron was beaten in qualifying on Sunday by Britain’s Jan Choinski but received a second chance due to his fellow American Brandon Nakashima withdrawing injured on Monday morning.
The 32-year-old was broken again in game six of the second set after being on the wrong side of a net-cord winner before hitting back in game nine when Draper was broken to love during a temporary wobble in which he slipped and fell on the baseline.
Former US Open semi-finalist Draper was unable to prevent a second-set tiebreak before recovering from a mini-break at 3-1 down to ensure he will have more competitive action ahead of Wimbledon.
Speaking of Murray, Draper said: “I haven’t called him ‘Sir’ yet – that’s not going to happen!
“Andy, truthfully, is one of my biggest inspirations.
“As I came on to the tour, we spent some time together and I think we have a great relationship off the court but also what he brings to me in terms of the tennis as well.
“He believes in my game, he believes in me as a person, and that’s what I really need right now coming back from the year I’ve had.
“I’m very grateful to Andy that he’s chosen to help me and wants to help. I suppose today was a performance a bit like what he used to do: winning ugly.”
In the opening match on Centre Court, British number six Pinnington Jones came from a set down to defeat Argentinian Marco Trungelliti.
Trungelliti, who was was a late replacement for injured compatriot Ugo Carabelli, was beaten 5-7 6-3 7-5 by the 23-year-old wildcard.
In the women’s draw, Britain’s Hannah Klugman was unable to back up her maiden WTA Tour win at last week’s Nottingham Open after suffering a narrow three-set defeat to fellow teenager Tereza Valentova.
The 17-year-old, who has been granted a Wimbledon wildcard as she moves from the junior to senior ranks, lost 7-5 5-7 7-5 against the 19-year-old Czech in three hours and two minutes.
Read MoreFormer Wimbledon champion handed four-year suspension for refusing drugs test
When is the Wimbledon draw? Date, time, wildcards and who could Serena Williams play?
Serena Williams receives final Wimbledon wildcard to confirm singles return
Jack Draper ready to rebuild after year spent ‘watching his decline’
Cerundolo wins longest final in Queen’s history to seal biggest title of career
Oliver Tarvet handed long route again at Wimbledon – with prize money this time
